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Key Points

A dramatic maritime rescue unfolded off the Kerala coast when the Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503 caught fire, prompting the Indian Navy to intervene. Of the 22 crew members onboard, 18 were successfully rescued, with six requiring hospitalization and two in critical condition. The multinational crew included Chinese, Taiwanese, Myanmarese, and Indonesian nationals, reflecting the global nature of maritime operations. Preliminary investigations suggest an internal container explosion triggered the incident, with search operations continuing for the four remaining crew members.

Key Points: Singapore Ship Fire Rescue Drama 18 Crew Saved Near Kerala Coast

  • Indian Navy conducts complex maritime rescue of multinational ship crew
  • Two critically burned sailors receiving intensive medical care
  • Vessel experienced internal container explosion mid-journey
  • Search continues for four missing crew members
3 min read

Of six, two are critically injured with burns: Rescuees from Singapore container ship rushed to hospital in Mangaluru

Indian Navy rescues 18 crew from burning Singapore vessel MV Wan Hai 503 with critical casualties and ongoing search operations

"Two are critically injured with 35-40 per cent burns. Mainly, they have airway burns - Dr. Dinesh Kadam, Plastic Surgeon"

Mangaluru, June 10

Of the 18 rescued crew members of the Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503, six were brought to the AJ Hospital for medical treatment post-midnight on Tuesday. Dinesh Kadam, Plastic Surgeon at AJ Hospital, said that two rescuees had critical injuries with 35 to 40 per cent burns.

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Surat, carrying the rescued crew members who sustained injuries in the vessel fire, arrived at the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA), Panambur, earlier.

According to Plastic Surgeon Kadam, the six rescuees are from multiple nationalities, including Chinese and Indonesian. Of the six rescued crew members, two have suffered critical injuries.

"We have received six patients. All of them have burns. Three are Chinese nationals, two are from Burma (Myanmar), and one is from Indonesia. Two are critically injured with 35-40 per cent burns. Mainly, they have airway burns, that is, respiratory burns, which are much more severe. They have breathing problems. We have to monitor closely over a few days and see how they do. Right now, we're giving all the attention and critical care," Kadam told reporters here.

The Indian Navy, in a closely coordinated search and rescue operation with the Coast Guard, DG Shipping, and other stakeholders, safely rescued 18 out of 22 crew members of the Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503 after a fire broke out.

"The inputs of the incident were received at IFC IOR at about 0930 hours on June 9. INS Surat and a Dornier aircraft were immediately deployed by the Indian Navy to render necessary assistance, and at about 1630 hours, 18 out of 22 crew members were safely rescued by Surat. First aid has been rendered to the injured crew members, and the ship is presently proceeding to New Mangalore for disembarkation and further medical management," the Navy said in a statement.

According to the Indian Navy, the vessel was carrying 22 crew members, including eight Chinese, six Taiwanese, five Myanmarese, and three Indonesian nationals. Following the explosion and escalation of the fire, the crew abandoned the ship.

"18 crew members have been rescued, while four remain missing. A search and rescue operation is currently underway," it said.

The MV had reported an internal container explosion and a resultant major fire onboard. The incident occurred at around 44 nautical miles off Azhikkal, Kerala and 130 nautical miles northwest of Kochi.

According to a release, preliminary reports suggest that 10-15 containers have fallen overboard. The vessel was en route from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Nhava Sheva, Mumbai, with an expected time of arrival (ETA) on 10 June.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Our Navy and Coast Guard have done a remarkable job in this rescue operation 👏. It's heartening to see India's swift response to help international crew members in distress. Wishing speedy recovery to all injured, especially those with critical burns. #HumanityFirst
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Rahul S.
The coordination between Indian agencies is commendable! But we must also ask why such accidents keep happening in our waters. Are international ships following proper safety protocols? Hope the investigation reveals the truth.
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Ananya M.
So many nationalities involved - Chinese, Burmese, Indonesian... shows how interconnected our region is. Hope the missing crew members are found soon. Our Navy should be proud of this humanitarian effort 🇮🇳
V
Vikram J.
The medical team at AJ Hospital deserves appreciation too. Burns treatment requires specialized care. Hope they have all the resources needed to treat these patients properly. Maybe this incident will highlight the need for better burn care facilities in coastal cities.
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Sunita R.
The route from Colombo to Mumbai is very busy with shipping traffic. With climate change making weather unpredictable, we need more safety measures in our waters. Proud of our Navy's quick action though! 🙏
K
Karthik N.
While we appreciate the rescue efforts, I'm concerned about the 10-15 containers that fell overboard. This could be an environmental hazard for our marine life. Hope the authorities are monitoring this aspect as well.

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